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Ayo Edebiri is is officially set to write the screenplay for the upcoming live-action Barney movie, and she may even take on a starring role. Read more about the Emmy award-winning star’s next major move inside.
The project has been in development since 2019. The live-action Barney movie is being produced by A24 and Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% Productions in collaboration with Mattel Films. While Kaluuya is a lead producer, sources confirm that he won’t be starring in the film alongside Edebiri.
With Edebiri attached as a writer and potentially leading the cast, this version of Barney is shaping up to be anything but ordinary.
A New Vision for Barney
Plot details are still under wraps, but it’s clear that this won’t be the same purple dinosaur many millennials remember from childhood. When the project was first announced, Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner teased that working with Kaluuya would bring a “completely new approach to Barney that will surprise audiences and subvert expectations.”
That statement, paired with A24’s involvement, sparked wild speculation about what kind of film this will be. Mattel has remained tight-lipped. Though last October, Mattel’s Chief Franchise Officer Josh Silverman hinted at the film’s unique direction compared to the animated reboot of “Barney” currently in the works at Max.
“We want to remain consistent to the authenticity, the DNA of Barney, but we also want to modernize,” Silverman explained, emphasizing that the goal is to create something fresh while staying true to the beloved character.
Ayo Edebiri’s Rise to Hollywood Power Player
Edebiri’s career has skyrocketed over the past few years. After breaking out as Chef Sydney Adamu in “The Bear” (a role that won her an Emmy), she’s been on fire. Since then, she’s taken on major projects in both live-action and animation.
She recently lent her voice to Pixar’s Inside Out 2 as the emotion Envy, and she’s set to star in Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film After the Hunt, alongside Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield. Now, with Barney, Edebiri is adding screenwriter to her growing list of accomplishments.
What to Expect From This Barney Movie
Between A24’s involvement, Kaluuya’s production company, and Edebiri’s sharp comedic and dramatic talents, it’s clear this is not going to be your typical kids’ movie. Whether it leans into nostalgia, satire, or something completely unexpected, fans are eagerly waiting to see what this reimagined purple dinosaur will look like.
One thing’s for sure: Barney is back, but he’s getting a 2025 glow-up.